“Building the Nation” by Henry Barlow – Analysis & Summary
(By Henry Barlow)
"Today I did my share
In building the nation.
I drove the permanent secretary
To an important urgent function
In fact to a luncheon at the Vic.
The menu reflected its importance
Cold Bell beer with small talk,
Then fried chicken with niceties
Wine to fill the hollowness of the laughs
Ice-ream to cover the stereotype jokes
Coffee to keep the PS …"ANALYSIS OF THE POEM
1.Tittle
‘Building the nation is a symbolic and ironical title. It is symbolic because it symbolizes the whole building process of something especially a nation. And it is ironical because it satirizes the people who boast that they are true national builders while they are not.
2. Summary of the poem
“Building the nation’ is about the views from two different national builders. The first one is the leader and he publicly claims to be the real national builder while in reality he is not. The second national builder is a true one although he does no say it publicly. Despite their differences, they are all nation builders.
3. What is poem about?
The poem is about two national builders who build the nation differently. Ps is pretending that he is building the nation while he is destroying as he is feeding his stomach. The Driver is building the nation in which he fulfills his responsibilities but his stomach is empty. He is not paid as he should. Hence he has developed ulcers.
4. Point out eight themes from the poem and explain
Poverty
The Driver is poor as he could not afford lunch. He says his ulcers are caused by hunger
Hypocricy
The upper class is depicted to be hypocrite. The leaders, in this case the Ps promise or pretend to build the nation while they are destroying the nation while they are destroying the nation. This is shown in the first stanza.
Classes in the society
The poet has shown classes in his society. He has identified the class of people who enjoy the national cake. The exploiters are people of the upper class. The Ps is rich and had more than enough. The drivers are poor. He represents poor people in our society. This class is starving from hunger, as shown through the driver who has ulcers due to hunger.
Exploitation
The driver is exploited. He is working but he is not paid well. He exploited hence he is poor.
Misuse of resources
The term resource refers to supply of raw materials which can be used to bring development. The poet has discussed the issue of misusing the national resources. This is shown through the Ps who misuses time, the car for his personal matters
Consciousness / Awareness
Consciousness means knowing what is going on. Peoples awareness is important in development. The person who is the Ps driver is aware that the Ps has been doing. He knows that the Ps went.
Disease
The person has ulcers due to hunger and starvation
Irresponsibility / Misuse of power
The Ps is misusing his power as he attends matters. He does not attend matters of state as claims. He does not fulfill his responsibilities.
5. Suggest some literary and poetic devices used in the poem.
Alliteration
Highly delicate diplomatic duties..
And secretly smiling…
Cold Bell beer
Borrowing/code mixing
Mwananchi, I too had none!
Onomatopoeia
Ah, he continued yawning again.
This is the sound of yawning
Satire
To an important urgent function
In fact to a luncheon at the Vic.
Lunch is called an important urgent function, this is very satirical
Irony.
The title of the poem ‘Building the Nation” is ironical because the guys in the poem were not building the nation.
6. Why did the PS ask the question “Did you have any lunch friend?”
It was just to keep himself awake throughout the journey and not because he is concerned about the welfare of the driver.
7. What is the mood of the persona?
The persona is angry and sad. The person is sad because the Ps does not build the nation. The Ps is hypocrite. He is sad as he is also poor.
8. What is tone of the speaker is bitter and sarcastic.
The speaker ironically speaks that the Ps pretends to build the nation while he was attending personal matters. He went for lurch.
9. What is relevance of the poem to your society?
In Tanzania we have leaders like the Ps and senior avil servants who are selfish, corrupt and irresponsible. On the other hand most of the workers are poor. There works receive law salaries. Lastly, we have people who are aware of the evils of the leaders, but they fear to criticize them.
10. Who is speaking in the poem?
The speaker is driver who is poor, oppressed, and hardworking. The speaker not happy with situation that the system has created for him. He hates his state of poverty while the Ps is extremely rich but he does not work.
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